"No situation is so bad, ..."

As I was looking through my post list I noticed this post I started back in March of 2012 but never finished. This quote goes through my head ALL THE TIME. :) I used to have it up on my mirror in my bedroom. When I think of my problems, they are so small. I'm having pregnancy complications, but at least I'm pregnant and have had three healthy kids. I'm in a small town that's really hot, but at least I'm with my husband and kids. All of my problems are so small and I have so much to be thankful for. Imagine how much happier the world would be if people focused on their blessings and not their problems. I'm not saying I never whine, but I have learned that it rarely helps the situation. If you haven't read the talk below, you should. It's a good one.

This is the original post: (I'm sure I planned on writing more and then got too tired)

"No situation is so bad, that whining won't make it worse." (Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Tongue of Angels")

I say that phrase over and over in my head all the time. There are many times I feel like complaining, and then think to myself, "What's the point?" I've learned that complaining about a situation never makes it better, and most of the time, either makes it worse, or just makes me dwell on it so it appears worse.

Here's an example: I'm tired. Really, really tired. Mike has been gone for a week and a half, and in addition to taking care of my kids the best I can I also have to get our house packed up as much as possible for our upcoming move. There are times when I've thought about signing into Facebook and venting so I can get some sympathy posts, but then I remember it's pointless and only draws attention to a very blessed person complaining about a nice, comfortable life. Also, I asked for this. I prayed, fasted and begged for Mike to have this opportunity, so what do I have to complain about?

Okay, back to 2013. Here is a part of the talk that I really like and just want to include.

"May I expand this counsel to make it a full family matter. We must be so careful in speaking to a child. What we say or don’t say, how we say it and when is so very, very important in shaping a child’s view of himself or herself. But it is even more important in shaping that child’s faith in us and their faith in God. Be constructive in your comments to a child—always. Never tell them, even in whimsy, that they are fat or dumb or lazy or homely. You would never do that maliciously, but they remember and may struggle for years trying to forget—and to forgive. And try not to compare your children, even if you think you are skillful at it. You may say most positively that “Susan is pretty and Sandra is bright,” but all Susan will remember is that she isn’t bright and Sandra that she isn’t pretty. Praise each child individually for what that child is, and help him or her escape our culture’s obsession with comparing, competing, and never feeling we are “enough.”

Goodbye Great Grandma Starley

Last weekend Mike and Sarah traveled to Utah to attend the funeral of his Grandma, Mona Wright Starley. Mike drove from Altus, picked Sarah up in Colorado after her visit with my family and continued on to his parents. His Grandma died from complications from an appendectomy. The surgery went well, but she never woke up completely from the anesthesia. Thankfully she had a lot of loving family around her and nearby when she passed.

Here is the program from her funeral service

Mike's grandma was a very sweet lady. She and her husband always managed to send birthday cards, Christmas cards, and even gave me a box of chocolates every Mother's Day. Visits with her were always amusing and interesting. She loves her children and grandchildren and loved to talk about them. She had an excellent memory. 

The last time we saw her was in May on our way from Columbus-Utah-Altus. I wish we had taken a picture of the visit like we usually do. Mona was in her usual spirits and we talked about how she was doing and about her kids. Since we both have sons named Steven she loved to talk about her little Stevie. Mine didn't hold a candle to hers, but I can understand her biased attitude. :) 

Mona was a great woman and we are all going to miss her until we meet again. 

On the way back to Altus Mike and Sarah stopped by the Monticello, Utah temple. We like to stop by temples along our driving routes and take pictures to add to our collection. 

Adam gets stitches...again...

A couple days ago Adam had to take a trip to the ER to get stitches in his chin. (His 2nd time getting stitches. See below) We went swimming at some friends house and Adam jumped in by a corner and went straight to the other side bonking his chin as he went in. It didn't bleed a lot, but it was deep, so I took him in. Adam was not a happy boy. The people in the ER thought he was crying because he was in pain, but he was only upset that he had to leave to pool to go to the hospital. My sister wanted to see the cut, so scroll down if you want to see it, and if you don't, stop scrolling after the pool pictures. :)

Here he is after the stitches. They gave him some Tylenol with codeine, but it didn't seem to phase him. The large Sprite his dad gave him probably kept him alert. :)

Sarah and Steven stayed at our friend Katie's pool to play, so we had to go back to get them. The nurse said no swimming for 2-3 weeks, but I was welcome to get creative as long as we kept the area dry for a few days. Adam decided he wanted to use the baby toy to float in the water and Steven stayed with him to pull him around. (Steven has been super brother lately)

Isn't it gross?! Poor kid. 

The best part is that it hasn't bothered him at all. He hasn't complained of it hurting and has been good about not touching it. 

In June of 2011, when he was almost a year old, Adam got his first stitches when a shopping cart he was sitting in was accidentally tipped over. The only problem he had afterwards was having to switch the thumb that he sucked. As soon as he figured that out he was a happy boy.

It's a...

BOY!   After two recent ultrasounds we are 100% sure we are having a little boy. :)

We weren't supposed to have the mid pregnancy ultrasound until the 25th, but last Tuesday I had to go to the Dr and he ordered an ultrasound. The tech said that since it was an ER visit they couldn't let me see the screen or give me any information about the baby, including the sex. I told her that I completely understand and also that we wouldn't mind if she slipped up and "accidentally" referred to it as a he or she. She said she might at the end. When she dropped me off back in the room Mike and I were pretty sure she said "HE was very active." We were very happy when we found out. We told the kids when we got home and Sarah cried. She was really looking forward to having a little sister. Mike told her that it's for the best, because now she's his only princess. :)

Because of another impromptu visit to the Dr yesterday they ordered an ultrasound for this morning. Since I'm 20 weeks they allowed it to be the ultrasound where I can see the video and photos. There was definitely no mistaking that it's a boy.

Here are some pictures of him. We still don't know what we're going to name him, so feel free to make any suggestions. (preferably not like my husband's which have been ridiculous) Sarah has chosen Eric as in the prince in Little Mermaid and so far we have neither vetoed it nor thought of anything different. The ultrasound tech couldn't get a really good profile shot because he is a very active baby, but she got some good shots. Although most are labeled on the picture, I'll still label them on the blog. :)

An exciting picture of his arm

His fingers

His face, with an OBVIOUS smile. ;)

He's making a little fist

Both of his feet

Ear

Both legs

Almost a profile picture. :)

An upside down profile and picture of his spine

And last but not least, I think we can confidently say it's a boy. Sarah will just have to continue naming her dolls Audrey. :) 

Today marks my 20 weeks and although I've had some issues, the baby is always doing great, which is good enough for me. :)

Altus picture post

Here are some random pictures of some of the things we did in Altus our first month. (one month down, four more to go) :)

When we first got here we immediately started canvasing the area for fun things to do. Altus is a small town, but there are plenty of parks in the community and on the Air Force base. There is a small reservoir in the middle of town that has some nice parks around it. It is full of geese and ducks and they REALLY like to be fed. When we feed them we go through a whole loaf of bread and have to hurry away because they'll pursue. :)

It is really hot in here, as in over 100 daily, so the kids all decided to chop their hair.

We got to celebrate fathers day with the greatest Dad on the planet

We made and played with flubber :)

The base here has a WONDERFUL swimming pool. There a two large twisty slides, a kiddie pool and diving boards. Steven saw some big kids doing back flips so he decided that he could as well. We all got a kick out of watching him. 

Then he decided he could dive and he did great. 

Sarah loved to jump off the diving board, but she didn't want to dive.

After her bribe money reached $7 she decided to give it a try and did great. She kept diving over and over after that. 

Mike did a great job of showing them an example.

When we went for a walk Steven found this turtle on the route. He begged to bring it home as his pet and we said he could keep it in the back yard but SURPRISE, it was gone in the morning. :)

Big Boy Adam- Happy Birthday Buddy!

Today my baby turned three years old. THREE!!! Before I mention his birthday I'll write about some of the other things that have been going on with him. When we moved here a month ago we decided that we were finally ready to potty train him. He'd been going numero dos in the toilet for a few months, and it was just a matter of getting him to go pee. We switched him to underwear and he spent the next couple days having accidents and then he just got it. It may have been cheaper to potty train him earlier, but with a move, living in hotels for three weeks and my being pregnant I just didn't have the desire.

Adam has been so proud of his potty training success. He is always exclaiming that he's a BIG BOY now and makes me remind people if he feels he isn't being treated like one. When people ask him his age he tells him and then says, "and I'm a big boy, huh mom." It's really cute.

Adam is my snuggle baby. He LOVES to snuggle. He comes in my bed in the morning for morning snuggles and sometimes falls back asleep. If he's sitting next to me he'll stick his finger in his mouth and lay his head on my shoulder. If he thinks he's going to get in trouble he'll say, "I love you mom" and give me the look. After saying "I love you too" it's hard to discipline him. :)

Adam is very animated. I don't know if it's "little man syndrome", but he does not like to be told not to do something, or get in trouble. Although he gets upset, he also starts crying. We have to make sure our voices stay soft, or he doesn't take it well. He has tender feelings. :)

He is a funny kid! He loves to make jokes, although most revolve around bodily functions at this moment. His older brother is an obvious influence on his style of humor. He is a great younger brother and really loves his older siblings.

We had cake and ice cream the day before his birthday so Sarah could be a part of it before going to Colorado. He chose to make a cake and decorate it with Star Wars figurines. I wasn't going to complain. (although he started taking them off and licking them before we sang) The Berrys and Mundens helped us celebrate the big day.

While the boys focused on shooter games Sarah conquered this basketball game. The previous high score had been 50 and not even Mike could beat it (he tried), but Sarah got 61. :)

 Happy Birthday Buddy! We are so grateful to be your parents and we love you so very much!!!!!

Independence Day Weekend

Mike had a rare four day weekend, so we put it to good use. On the 4th we started out with some free bowling at the base bowling alley. Our friends the Mundens joined us.

Mike and the kids then had some fun lighting some of the day fireworks we bought. We found out later that all fireworks were banned in city limits, but if we got caught we were going to play the out of town card. (should I even mention that on here since it sounds so dishonest written down?)

After fireworks we saw a matinee of Monster's University with the Mundens and Berrys. Cute movie! Then we used the evening activities as an excuse to have mandatory naps for everyone. YAY! In the evening we went to an activity Altus Air Force Base was putting on. They had bouncy houses and some games for the kids. We thought the fireworks they advertised would be there, but they were at a reservoir not too far away. 

Sarah wanted to get her face painted and it turned into a two hour wait. Yes, two hours. They only had one face painter and a lot of kids in line. Once it got dark she was going to quit, but Mike offered to hold up his phone for light so Sarah and the remaining kids could get painted. :) Doesn't she look patriotic?!

 

 Steven found a cool magnetic building set to play with and Adam kept himself busy with playdoh.

On the 5th we went boating with the Berrys, Mundens and Roys at Altus Lake. Altus has been in a severe drought for over four years, so the lake is less than 30% full. Thankfully there was still enough water for us to go boating. We rented a pontoon boat from the base and spent a few hours swimming and tubing. My kids wanted to monopolize the tube the whole time, but we made them share. :) One tactic they would use was joining others for their turns.

The big boys had as much fun as the little boys. 

We saw this little wild fire flair up towards the end of the day. It would die down and then find a new group of trees to burn. The firefighters arrived as we left the area. 

Adam fell asleep in the car on the way home and we weren't able to wake him up for dinner or fireworks. He slept until 8 the next morning. Sign of a good time. :)

On Saturday we took the boat to Tom Steed Reservoir in hopes of finding more water. There was a little more, but not much. It was still a blast though.

Being married to a member of the military has given me a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices that have gone into, and continue to go into, maintaining the freedom of our nation. Every 4th of July and Veterans day I think of a neighbor of ours in Utah that has been to Iraq twice, leaving his family, so mine would be safe at home. While living in Mississippi I met service members and their families that had given over an over again. I always thought that being an Air Force pilot was a really cool thing, which it is, but these men and women have to leave their families and their families have to deal with them being away. A lot of sacrifices are made for this great nation, but they all do it for us and for that I am thankful. God Bless America